Placing sutures

ABSTRACT

A suturing instrument is configured for to apply sutures to approximate, ligate, or fixate tissue in, for example, open, mini-incision, trans-vaginal, or endoscopic surgical procedures. The suturing instrument includes an elongate body member, a needle exit port, a needle receiving port, and a needle deployment mechanism. The suturing instrument eliminates the need for a preassembled needle and suture and reduces or eliminates the possibility of needle loss during suturing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to devices and methods for placing sutures.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Suturing of body tissue is a time consuming aspect of many surgicalprocedures. For many surgical procedures, it is necessary to make alarge opening in the human body to expose the area that requiressurgical repair. There are instruments available that allow for viewingof certain areas of the human body through a small puncture woundwithout exposing the entire body cavity. These instruments, calledendoscopes, can be used in conjunction with specialized surgicalinstruments to detect, diagnose, and repair areas of the body thatpreviously required open surgery to access.

Some surgical instruments used in endoscopic procedures are limited bythe manner in which they access the areas of the human body in need ofrepair. In particular, the instruments may not be able to access tissueor organs located deep within the body or that are in some wayobstructed. In addition, many of the instruments are limited by the waythey grasp tissue, apply a suture; or recapture the needle and suture.Furthermore, many of the instruments are complicated and expensive touse due to the numerous parts and/or, subassemblies required to makethem function properly. Suturing remains a delicate and time-consumingaspect of most surgeries, including those performed endoscopically.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a medical device for performing asurgical procedure, such as passing a suture through tissue.Specifically, the invention relates to a suturing instrument thateliminates the need for a preassembled needle and suture and reduces oreliminates the possibility of needle loss during suturing. The suturinginstrument is configured to apply sutures to approximate, ligate, orfixate tissue in, for example, open, mini-incision, trans-vaginal, orendoscopic surgical procedures.

The suturing instrument uses a needle housed within an elongate bodymember. The needle has a sharpened tip for tissue penetration and ahook-shaped distal portion for capturing a suture. When the suturinginstrument is actuated, the needle is advanced out of the elongate bodyof the suturing instrument through tissue and into a second opening inthe suturing instrument. The needle captures a suture held within thesecond opening of the suturing instrument in the hook-shaped distalportion of the needle. The needle is then retracted back through thetissue carrying the suture through the tissue. Alternatively, the needlecan travel about the tissue, as opposed to through the tissue, therebycarrying the suture back around the tissue to ligate a vessel, forexample. The suturing instrument can then be removed from the bodyleaving the suture intact.

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a suturing instrumentincluding an elongate body member including a distal portion defining afirst opening and a second opening opposing the first opening, a needle,and a needle deployment mechanism. The needle is at least partiallydisposed within the elongate body member and includes a hook-shapeddistal portion and a tissue-penetrating tip distal of the hook-shapeddistal portion. The needle deployment mechanism is coupled to a proximalportion of the needle and disposed at least partially within theelongate body member. The needle deployment mechanism moves the needlebetween the first and second openings. In one embodiment, the needleincludes a latch movable between a first position in which thehook-shaped distal portion is open and a second position in which thehook-shaped distal portion is closed,

In another aspect, the invention relates to a suturing instrumentincluding an elongate body member including a distal portion defining afirst opening and a second opening that opposes the first opening, aneedle at least partially disposed within the elongate body member, anda needle deployment mechanism coupled to a proximal portion of theneedle and disposed at least partially within the elongate body memberfor moving the needle between the first and second openings. The needleincludes means for penetrating tissue and means for capturing andpulling a suture from the second opening.

In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a suturing instrumentincluding an elongate body member including a distal portion defining afirst opening and a second opening that opposes the first opening, aneedle at least partially disposed within the elongate body member, anda needle deployment mechanism coupled to a proximal portion of theneedle and disposed at least partially within the elongate body memberfor moving the needle between the first and second openings. The needleincludes a hook-shaped distal portion for pulling a suture from thesecond opening and a tissue-penetrating tip distal of the hook-shapeddistal portion. In one embodiment, the needle includes a latch movablebetween a first position in which the hook-shaped distal portion opensas the needle exits the first opening and a second position in which thehook-shaped distal portion closes as the needle exits the second openingwith the suture, thereby capturing the suture in the hook-shaped distalportion of the needle.

In various embodiments of the foregoing aspects of the invention, thebody member includes a protuberance disposed on an internal surface ofthe first opening. The protuberance acts to open the hook-shaped distalportion of the needle by moving the latch to the first position. Thebody member can include a protuberance disposed on an internal surfaceof the second opening. The protuberance acts to close the hook-shapeddistal portion of the needle by moving the latch to the second position.The body member can also include a flexible tubular member disposeddistal of the protuberance. The flexible tubular member holds a suturein place. In one embodiment, the flexible tubular member is a spring.The flexible tubular member can define a first lumen and the distalportion of the suturing instrument can define a second lumen generallyaxially aligned with the first lumen. In addition, the distal portion ofthe suturing instrument can include a slot in communication with thefirst lumen and the second lumen.

In some embodiments of the suturing instrument, the latch is pivotablycoupled to the needle, in others the latch is slidably disposed on theneedle. In one embodiment, the distal portion of the suturing instrumenthas a generally C-shaped or circular profile that defines an opening forreceiving tissue. The needle can be substantially straight or curved.Where the needle is curved, the latch can be disposed on an insidediameter of the needle or an outside diameter of the needle. Inadditional embodiments, the elongate body member can include one or morebends. The suturing instrument can be adapted to access remote organs ortissue within a body. The distal portion of the elongate body member maybe rotatable relative to the remainder of the elongate body member.Further, the suturing instrument can include a handle disposed oppositethe distal portion of the elongate body member. The handle can at leastpartially house the needle deployment mechanism. The suturing instrumentcan also include a suture disposed in the second opening.

These and other objects, along with advantages and features of thepresent invention herein disclosed, will become apparent throughreference to the following description, the accompanying drawings, andthe claims. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the features of thevarious embodiments described herein are not mutually exclusive and canexist in various combinations and permutations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the sameparts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed uponillustrating the principles of the invention. In the followingdescription, various embodiments of the present invention are describedwith reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view of one embodiment of a suturinginstrument in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 1B and 1C are schematic cross-sectional views of the proximal anddistal portions of the suturing instrument of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodimentof the suturing instrument of FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 2A-2B, 2D-2E, and 2G-2H are enlarged cross-sectional side views ofthe distal portion of the suturing instrument of FIG. 1A in variousoperational phases;

FIGS. 2C, 2F, and 21 are enlarged schematic top views of the distalportion of the suturing instrument of FIG. 1 A in various operationalphases;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the distal portionof an alternative suturing instrument in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged top view of the distal portion of the suturinginstrument of FIG. 3A;

FIGS. 4A - 4C are schematic representations of an alternative embodimentof a suturing instrumenting accordance with the invention, as used invarious applications;

FIGS. 5A-5F are schematic representations of the method of using thesuturing instrument of FIG. 4B;

FIGS. 6A-6I are schematic representations of the method of using thesuturing instrument of FIG. 4C to place additional stitches;

FIGS. 7A-7C are schematic side views of alternative needle embodiments;and

FIGS. 8A-8F are schematic perspective views of another alternativeneedle embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are described below. It is,however, expressly noted that the present invention is not limited tothese embodiments, but rather the intention is that variations,modifications, and equivalents that are apparent to the person skilledin the art are also included.

A suturing instrument according to the invention can be used, forexample, to access areas within the human body to ligate, fixate, orapproximate tissue. The suturing instrument can throw one or morestitches intercorporeally. FIG. 1A illustrates the general structure ofone embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A depicts a suturinginstrument 100 including a handle 102, an elongate body member 104, anda needle deployment mechanism 110. The suturing instrument 100 has adistal portion 106 and a proximal portion 108. The elongate body member104 is mechanically coupled to the handle 102 at the proximal portion108 and the suturing components are housed in the distal portion 106 ofthe suturing instrument 100.

The handle 102 could take a variety of forms, for example, the handle102 could be one of the types used with Boston Scientific Corporationsuturing systems, in particular the Capio® Push & Catch suturing system.Generally, the needle deployment mechanism 110 extends longitudinallythrough the elongate body member 104 to the distal portion 106 of thesuturing instrument 100, where the needle deployment mechanism 110 iscoupled to a needle. The needle deployment mechanism 110 moves theneedle between a retracted position and a deployed position. One exampleof the needle deployment mechanism 110 is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 1B and 1C.

FIGS. 1B and 1C are cross-sectional views of the proximal portion 108 ofthe suturing instrument 100 (FIG. 1B) and the distal portion 106 of thesuturing instrument 100 (FIG. 1C). FIG. 1B depicts the suturinginstrument 100 including the handle 102, the elongate body member 104,and the needle deployment mechanism 110. The needle deployment mechanism110 includes a button 117, a shaft 116, a bearing 118, a button end 119,and a hole 121. The bearing 118 rides along a cylindrical surface 105that is formed by the inside diameter of the elongate body member 104. Awireform 103 is inserted into the hole 121, coupling it to the actuatorbutton 117. A spring 115 encircles the wireform 103, abuts the buttonend 119, and is compressed between the button end 119 and a springwasher 113. The spring washer 113 is seated upon a center tube 107. Thecenter tube 107 is housed by the cylindrical surface 105 and isconstrained at the distal portion 106. A pusher wire 111 is attached tothe wireform 103 by means of a weld, a coupling, adhesive or other meansand is slidably disposed within a guidance sleeve 109, the sleeve 109being disposed within a cylindrical surface 123 formed by the insidediameter of the center tube 107. In one embodiment, the pusher wire 111is constructed of nitinol. Nitinol is a nickel-titanium alloy so chosenfor its combination of properties that allow for bendability and highcolumn strength when constrained.

FIG. 1C is a detailed cross-sectional view of the distal portion 106 ofthe suturing instrument 100. The pusher wire 111 is attached by weldingor other means to a coupling 150, which is slidably disposed within atrack 152. The coupling 150 is attached to a carrier wire 154, which byvirtue of its attachment to the coupling 150 is also slidably disposedwithin the track 152. The carrier wire 154 is mechanically coupled tothe needle 124 by means of a weld, a coupling, adhesive, or other means.The coupling 150 abuts a backstop washer 156 that is slidably disposedabout the pusher wire 111 and is contained within a pocket 160 thatincludes a back wall 162, against which the backstop washer 156 rests.The track 152 terminates distally in a pocket 164 that includes a wall166. A downstop washer 158 is slidably disposed about the carrier wire154 and constrained within the pocket 164.

In operation, the needle deployment mechanism 110 is actuated by pushingon the button 117, which via the attachment to the wireform 103 which isattached to the pusher wire 111, moves the coupling 150 along the track152 concomitantly moving the carrier wire 154, which slidably moves theneedle 124, thereby driving the needle 124 through tissue. As the pusherwire 111 responds to greater urging of the button 117, the coupling 150reaches a point in its travel along the track 152 where it pushes thedownstop washer 158 such that it abuts the wall 166 of the pocket 164.This action limits the outward travel of the carrier wire 154 to preventoverdriving and eliminate the possibility of expelling the needle 124from the suturing instrument 100. As the button 117 is released, thespring 115 urges the button 117 proximally, moving the pusher wire 111,the coupling 150, and the carrier wire 154 proximally along with thebutton 117 to the retracted position.

In an alternative needle deployment mechanism 1010 (FIG. 1D), the button1012 operates a drive screw 1025 and a compression spring 1030, whichare housed in the proximal portion 1008 of the body 1004. The button1012 is mechanically linked to the drive shaft 1035, which moves a geardrive.1040, which in turn drives a gear 1045. The gear 1045 is coupledto a link drive pin 1050, which is itself coupled to a needle pusher1055. The needle pusher 1055 is in turn coupled to a needle 1024. Thepusher 1055 advances the needle 1024 out of a needle exit port 1020 andinto a needle receiving port 1022. The spring 1030 acts to retract theneedle 1024 from the needle receiving port 1022 once the button 1012 isreleased.

In some embodiments, the suturing instrument 100 may include an optionalarticulation 114 disposed in the elongate body member 104 proximate thedistal portion 106 (FIG. 1A). The articulation 114 facilitates therotation and positioning of the distal portion 106 of the suturinginstrument 100. In addition, the elongate body 104 can be substantiallystraight or may include one or more bends. The articulation 114 and/orbend(s) can facilitate access to deep and/or difficult to reach areaswithin the human body.

The suturing instrument's component materials should be biocompatable.For example, the handle 102, the elongate body member 104, and portionsof the needle deployment mechanism may be fabricated from extruded,molded, or machined plastic material(s), such as polypropylene,polycarbonate, or glass-filled polycarbonate. Other components, forexample the needle 124, may be made of stainless steel. Other suitablematerials will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The type ofmaterial(s) used to form the suture is not critical to the presentinvention, as long as the material is biocompatible. The surgeon willselect the length, diameter, and characteristics of the suture to suit aparticular application. Additionally, the mechanical components andoperation are similar in nature to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,364,408 and 6,048,351, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIGS. 2A-2I depict enlarged views of the distal portion 106 of thesuturing instrument 100 and the suturing components during variousphases of operation. FIG. 2A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of thedistal portion 106 and depicts an elongate needle 124, a first openingor “needle exit port” 120, and a second opening or “needle receivingport” 122. The distal portion 106 has an essentially C-shaped profile;however, the profile can vary to suit a particular application, as longas the needle exit port 120 and the needle receiving port 122 aregenerally in opposition. In many instances, the open area 131 defined bythe C-shaped profile receives the tissue to be sutured. The needle 124includes a hook-shaped distal portion 126, a tip 130 disposed distallytherefrom, and an optional latch 128. The tip 130 is configured topenetrate tissue and has an essentially conical shape; however, theshape can vary to suit a particular application and may include cuttingedges. The hook-shaped distal portion 126 is disposed in a side of theneedle⁻ 124 and the size and shape of the hook shape can be chosen tosuit a particular application. Examples of different needles andhook-shaped distal portions are illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C and 8A-8F.The latch 128 is pivotably coupled to the needle 124 and opens thehook-shaped distal portion 126 in a first position and closes thehook-shaped distal portion 126 in a second position. In the embodimentshown, the latch 128 is coupled to the needle 124 via a hinge 129. Inthe first position, the latch 128 is pivoted back over the body of theneedle 124, thereby opening the hook-shaped distal portion 126. In analternative embodiment, the latch 128 is slidably coupled to the needle124. The needle exit port 120 includes a latch opener 132 disposedtherein for actuating the latch 128. The needle receiving port 122includes a latch closer 134 disposed therein for actuating the latch 128and a suture holder 136 disposed distally from the latch closer 134.

In FIG. 2A, the suturing instrument 100 is shown in a starting positionwith the needle 124 positioned within the needle exitport 120-proximalof the latch opener 132. In FIG. 2B, the needle 124 is advancedpartially out of the needle exit port 120. As the needle 124 passes thelatch opener 132, a leading edge 133 of the latch 128 contacts the latchopener 132, thereby pivoting the latch 128 up and opening thehook-shaped distal portion 126. Specifically, the latch 128 is caughtand lifted by the latch opener 132. In one embodiment, the latch opener132 extends the entire width of the needle exit port 120. As the needle124 continues this forward movement, the latch 128 pivots at the hinge129 approximately 180 degrees. The hook-shaped distal portion 126 is nowcompletely open. The needle exit port 120 includes an open area 125above the needle 124 that serves as clearance for the latch 128 as itpivots open. The needle 124 is free to continue past the latch opener132, because the latch 128 can be either slightly recessed in the bodyof the needle 124 in the open position or the latch opener 132 can flexor rotate out of the path of the now open latch 128.

In FIG. 2C, the needle 124 is advanced approximately 50% of its fullrange. The latch 128 is pivoted back over the needle 124 and thehook-shaped distal portion 126 is fully exposed. While advancing theneedle 124 through tissue, the tissue may prolapse into the hook-shapeddistal portion 126; however, because the trailing edge 143 (FIG. 2A) ofthe hook-shaped distal portion 126 has no sharp edges, as shown in thisembodiment, the tissue does not catch in the hook-shaped distal portion126. In opposition to the needle exit port 120 is the needle receivingport 122. The needle receiving port 122 includes a latch closer 134disposed on an interior wall thereof and extending approximately 50% ofthe width of the needle receiving port 122. The needle receiving port122 also includes a suture holder 136 that extends approximately 50% ofthe width of the needle receiving port 122. The suture holder 136 is agenerally flexible elongate member defining a lumen 138 extendingtherethrough (FIG. 2A). In the embodiment shown, the suture holder 136is a spring; however, other flexible tubular structures may be used, forexample, a nitinol tube. In operation, the suture holder 136 has one ormore sutures 140 threaded through the lumen 138. Further, the suture 140runs through a second lumen 139 disposed within the distal portion 106of the suturing instrument 100 and generally axially aligned with thelumen 138 in the suture holder 136, thereby forming a suture bridgeacross the width of the needle receiving port 122. Typically, the suture140 is threaded through the suture holder 136 and the second lumen 139and the ends of the suture 140 are secured at or about the proximalportion 108 of the suturing instrument 100.

FIG. 2D depicts the needle 124 entering the funnel-shaped opening of theneedle receiving port 122. The needle 124 advances past the latch closer134 and contacts the suture holder 136. The suture holder 136 flexes inresponse to the force of the advancing needle 124 and is deflectedupward to allow the needle tip 130 to pass the suture holder 136. Thesuture holder 136 helps to protect the suture 140 as the needle 124passes. As can be seen in FIG. 2E, the suture holder 136 flexes back toits original position after the needle tip 130 advances past the sutureholder 136 and the suture holder 136 and suture 140 drop into thehook-shaped distal portion 126. In this position, the suture 140 iscaptured within the hook-shaped distal portion 126 (FIG. 2F). As can beseen in FIG. 2F, the suture holder 136 extends past the centerline 145of the needle receiving port 122; however, in other embodiments, thesuture holder 136 extends about or less than the distance to thecenterline 145.

In FIG. 2G, the needle 124 is partially retracted from the needlereceiving port 122. The needle 124 flexes the suture holder 136 out ofthe hook-shaped distal portion 126, but holds onto the suture 140 as theneedle 124 moves past the suture holder 136. At approximately the sametime, the leading edge.133 of the latch 128 engages the latch closer 134and begins pivoting back to the closed position over the hook-shapeddistal portion 126. As the needle 124 continues to retract out of theneedle receiving port 122 (FIGS. 2H and 21), the latch 128 is fullypivoted to the second (or closed) position to capture the suture 140within the hook-shaped distal portion 126. The needle receiving port 122includes an open area 127 above the needle 124 that acts as clearancefor the latch 128 as it pivots to the closed position. In addition tosecuring the suture 140 within the hook-shaped distal portion 126, theclosed latch 128 prevents tissue from prolapsing into the hook-shapeddistal portion 126, where it may become caught and/or torn by thehook-shaped distal portion 126; however, in embodiments without a latch128, the size and shape of the hook-shaped distal portion 126 can bechosen to reduce or eliminate the possibility of tissue damage whenretracting the needle 124.

As shown in FIGS. 2H and 21, the needle 124 is retracted through theopen area 131 (and tissue if the device is so positioned) pulling thesuture 140 through the open area 131 and/or tissue. After the needle 124is fully retracted into the needle exit port 120, the suturinginstrument 100 can be removed and the suture 140 retrieved and secured.The suture 140 can be knotted internally or externally to the body.Also, the suturing instrument may include a knot pusher 146 disposed onits distal portion 106 to help position the knot relative to the tissue.Alternatively, the needle 124 can be advanced again to capture a secondsuture.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict an alternative embodiment of a suturinginstrument 200 in accordance with the invention. The operation of thesuturing instrument 200 is similar to that described with respect toFIGS. 2A-2I, but with several differences. The latch 228 is slidablydisposed on the needle 224, as opposed to pivotably coupled to theneedle 224. As the needle 224 advances out of the needle exit port 220,a leading edge 233 of the latch 228 engages a latch opener 232 disposedwithin the needle exit port 220. The latch opener 232 slides the latch228 rearward into a first (or open) position, thereby exposing thehook-shaped distal portion 226. Once the latch 228 reaches the full openposition, the needle 224 advances past the latch opener 232 by, forexample, flexing the latch opener 232 out of alignment with the leadingedge 233 of the latch 228.

The needle receiving port 222 includes a latch closer 234 and a sutureholder 236. The latch closer 234 is a protuberance integrally formedwith the opening of the needle receiving port 222 (FIG. 3B). The smoothcontour of the latch closer 234 allows for easier passage of the suture240 out of the needle receiving port 222. The suture holder 236 is aflexible tube, such as a nitinol tube. The distal portion 206 of thesuturing instrument 200 includes a slot 244 vertically aligned with thesuture holder 236. The suture holder 136 includes a slot 245 alignedwith the slot 244 in the distal portion 206 of the instrument 200. Theslots 244, 245 facilitate loading one or more sutures 240 into thesuture holder 236 by just dropping the suture 240 into the slots 244,245. As discussed hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 2D and 2E, thesuture holder 236 flexes in response to the advancing needle 224,thereby allowing the needle 224 to capture the suture 240.

FIGS. 4A-4C depict various suturing procedures that can be performedwith the suturing instrument 100 described hereinabove or an alternativeembodiment of a suturing instrument 400 in accordance with theinvention. The alternative embodiment of the suturing instrument 400 issimilar in structure and operation to the suturing instrument 100described hereinabove. The suturing instrument 400 includes a generallycircular distal portion 406, which houses a curved needle 424. Otherthan the shape, the structure and operation of the needle 424 aresimilar to that described hereinabove. The hook-shaped distal portion426 and latch 428 may be located on either the inside diameter or theoutside diameter of the needle 424. The position of the latch opener43.2 and the latch closer 434 within their respective ports will beadjusted as necessary to engage the latch 428. Alternatively, the needle424 may not include a latch. The suturing instrument 400 depicted inFIGS. 4A-4C also differs from the previously described suturinginstrument 100 with respect to the travel direction of the needle 424,124. Needle 124 travels away from the proximal portion 108 of thesuturing instrument 100 and needle 424 travels towards the proximalportion 408 of the suturing instrument 400.

In FIG. 4A, the suturing instrument 400 is being used to performligation, which is a procedure where a vessel, such as an artery, isclosed off. The vessel 405 is positioned within the circular distalportion 406 of the instrument 400. The needle 424 is advanced out of theneedle exit port 420, enters the needle receiving port 422, and isretracted back to the needle exit port 420 with the suture 440 capturedwithin the hook-shaped distal portion 426. The instrument 400 can thenbe withdrawn leaving a length of suture 440 around the vessel 405, whichcan subsequently be tied off, thereby closing the vessel 405. In thisprocedure, the needle 424 carries the suture 440 around the vessel 405,but does not penetrate the vessel 405.

In FIG. 4B, the instrument 400 is being used to place a suture 440through a single piece of tissue 415. As seen in greater detail in FIGS.5A-5F, the needle 424 is driven through the tissue 415 until the needle424 captures the suture 440 held within the needle receiving port 422(FIGS. 5A-5C), as described above. Subsequently, the needle 424 isretracted back to the needle exit port 420, thereby pulling the suture440 through the tissue 415 (FIGS. 5D and 5E). The needle 424 actuallypulls a loop of suture 440 through the tissue 415, which results in twolengths of suture 440 through a common passage in the tissue 415. Theinstrument 400 can then be withdrawn leaving the two lengths of suture440 through the tissue 415 (FIG. 5F), which subsequently can be securedto another structure.

In FIG. 4C, the instrument 400 is being used to approximate two piecesof tissue 425. The needle 424 is driven through the two pieces of tissue425 until the needle 424 captures the suture 440 held within the needlereceiving port 422. Subsequently, the needle 424 is retracted back tothe needle exit port 420, thereby pulling the suture 440 through thetissue 425. The instrument 400 can then be withdrawn leaving a length ofsuture 440 through the tissue 425, which subsequently can be tied off tocomplete the approximation. In each preceding example, the needle 424can be advanced a second time to pull an additional two lengths ofsuture 140 through or around the tissue 405, 410, 425.

FIGS. 6A-6I depict the suturing instrument 400 of FIG. 4C being used topass a second length of suture 440 through the tissue 425. FIGS. 6A-6Cand 6F-6I are enlarged side views of the distal portion 406 of thesuturing instrument 400, and FIGS. 6D and 6E are top views of thesuturing instrument 400 shown in FIGS. 6B and 6D, respectively. In FIG.6A, the suturing instrument 400 is moved to a position adjacent thetissue 425 that is offset from the first suture pass. In FIGS. 6B and6C, the needle 424 is advanced through the tissue 425 until the needle424 captures the suture 440 held within the suture holder 436 disposedwithin the needle receiving port 422. As can be seen in FIG. 6B, thesuture is released from the hook-shaped distal portion 426 as the needle424 is advanced and the latch 428 is opened. The needle 424 passesthrough a loop 441 in the suture 440 that was pulled through the tissue425 by the first pass of the needle 424. In the embodiment shown, thehook-shaped distal portion 426 and latch 428 are disposed on the outsidediameter of the needle 424.

In FIG. 6D, the suture 440 is shown pulled from the needle receivingport 422. This length of suture 440 was pulled out during the first passof the needle 424. As the needle 424 re-enters the needle receiving port422 (FIG. 6E), the suture 440 is pushed aside by the needle 424 and theneedle 424 deflects the suture holder 436 up and then into thehook-shaped distal portion 426, as discussed hereinabove with respect toFIGS. 2A-2I. As shown in FIGS. 6F-6H, the needle 424 is retracted fromthe needle receiving port 422 pulling another loop of suture 440 throughthe tissue 425. The second loop of suture 440 ends up within the firstloop 441 (FIG. 6G). After the needle 424 is fully retracted into theneedle exit port 420, the suturing instrument 400 can be removed (FIG.61) and the suture 440 retrieved and secured. The suture 440 can beknotted internally or externally to the body.

FIGS. 7A-7C depict various embodiments of needles that can be used in asuturing instrument in accordance with the invention. In FIG. 7A, theneedle 724 is generally elongate and linear in shape and includes aproximal portion 740 and a hook-shaped distal portion 726. The diameter744 of the hook-shaped distal portion 726 is smaller than the diameter742 of the body of the needle 724. This reduction in diameter helps toprevent tissue from prolapsing into the hook-shaped distal portion 726when retracting the needle 724 without a latch. In FIG. 7B, the needle824 is generally curved and includes a proximal portion 840 and ahook-shaped distal portion 826. The hook-shaped distal portion 826 isoriented on the inside diameter 810 of the needle 824. The needle 924shown in FIG. 7C is substantially the same as needle 824, except thehook-shaped distal portion 924 is oriented on the outside diameter 910of the needle 924. In each of these embodiments, the proximal portion740, 840, 940 can be mechanically coupled to the needle deploymentmechanism 110.

FIGS. 8A-8F depict another embodiment of a needle that can be used in asuturing instrument in accordance with the invention. The needle 942 isgenerally elongate and linear in shape and includes a body portion 950,a proximal tube portion 944, a hook-shaped distal portion 960 includinga needle tip 948, and a latch 946. The proximal tube portion 944includes a first stop edge 952 and the hook-shaped distal portion 960includes a second stop edge 956 (FIG. 8B). The latch 946 includes aproximal edge 954 and a distal edge 964 and is slidably disposed aboutthe body portion 950 to selectively expose (open) and cover (close) atleast a portion of the hook-shaped distal portion 960.

In operation, as a user pushes the needle 942 through a patient's tissue(by methods previously described), friction between the needle 942 andthe tissue causes the latch 946 to slide over the body portion 950 in adirection indicated by arrow 958 until the proximal edge 954 contactsthe first stop edge 952 (FIG. 8C). This results in the hook-shapeddistal portion 960 being at least partially opened to capture a suture968 (FIG. 8D). After the hook-shaped distal portion 960 captures thesuture 968, the user retracts the needle 942 (by methods previouslydescribed). As the user retracts the needle 942, friction between theneedle 942 and the tissue causes the latch 946 to slide over the bodyportion 950 in a direction indicated by arrow 962 until the proximaledge 954 contacts the second stop edge 956 (FIGS. 8E and 8F). Thisresults in the hook-shaped distal portion 960 being at least partiallyclosed by the latch 946. Covering the hook-shaped distal portion 960with latch 946 helps to prevent tissue from prolapsing into thehook-shaped distal portion 960 when the user retracts the needle 942.Alternatively, the latch 946 can be opened and closed by contacting alatch opener and a latch closer as previously described and shown inFIGS. 2A-2I. The latch 946 has an outside diameter that is greater thanany other outside diameter of the needle 942. As a result, only thelatch 946 contacts the latch opener or latch closer when the needle 942is advanced or retracted.

Other embodiments incorporating the concepts disclosed herein may beused without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects as onlyillustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is: 1.-19. (canceled)
 20. A suturing instrumentcomprising: an elongate body member defining a longitudinal axis andincluding a distal portion, the distal portion defining a needle exitport and a needle receiving port distal to the needle exit port, asuture holder disposed within the needle receiving port and configuredto hold a suture; a needle deployment mechanism configured for distallydeploying a substantially straight needle from the needle exit port tothe needle receiving port and retracting the needle back through theneedle exit port, the needle deployment mechanism comprising a drive rodand a linking member: the linking member operably associated with thedrive rod such that movement of the drive rod causes rotation of atleast a portion of the linking member; and the rotation of the linkingmember translates into movement of the needle from the needle exit portto the needle receiving port and back to the needle exit port.
 21. Thesuturing instrument of claim 20, further comprising a handle disposedopposite the distal potion of the elongate body member, the handle atleast partially housing the needle deployment mechanism.
 22. Thesuturing instrument of claim 20, wherein the substantially straightneedle includes a shaft having a first diameter and a distal portioncomprising a tissue penetrating tip, the distal portion configured tocapture and pull the suture out of the needle receiving port and havinga second diameter smaller than the first diameter, the second diameterbeing proximal to the tissue penetrating tip.
 23. The suturinginstrument of claim 20, wherein the linking member includes a rotationalelement coupled to a second member.
 24. The suturing instrument of claim20, wherein the distal portion of the suturing instrument is configuredfor positioning a target tissue between the needle exit port and theneedle receiving port.
 25. A suturing instrument comprising: an elongatebody member defining a longitudinal axis and defining a first openingand a second opening distal to and substantially opposite the firstopening; and a needle deployment mechanism at least partially disposedwithin the elongate body member and configured for deploying asubstantially straight needle from the first opening to the secondopening and retracting the straight needle from the second opening backthrough the first opening, the needle deployment mechanism comprising adrive rod and the needle coupled to the drive rod via a linking member:the linking member coupled to the drive rod such that movement of thedrive rod causes rotation of at least a portion the linking member; therotation of the linking member translates into movement of the needleback and forth between the first and second openings.
 26. The suturinginstrument of claim 25, wherein the straight needle comprises a firstdiameter and the distal portion of the needle comprises a seconddiameter that is smaller than the first diameter.
 27. The suturinginstrument of claim 25, wherein the linking member comprises arotational element coupled to a second member.
 28. The suturinginstrument of claim 25, further comprising a handle disposed oppositethe distal potion of the elongate body member, the handle at leastpartially housing the needle deployment mechanism
 29. The suturinginstrument of claim 28, wherein the needle deployment mechanism furthercomprises an actuator at least partially disposed within the handle foraxially moving the drive rod within the longitudinal axis.
 30. Thesuturing instrument of claim 25, wherein the second opening isconfigured to receive a shoulder on the distal portion of the straightneedle.
 31. The suturing instrument of claim 25, wherein the distalportion of the suturing instrument is configured for positioning atarget tissue between the first and second openings.
 32. The suturinginstrument of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of the path betweenthe first and second openings is substantially linear.
 33. A suturinginstrument comprising: an elongate body member defining a longitudinalaxis and having a substantially C-shaped distal portion defining aneedle exit port and a needle catch distal to and substantially oppositethe needle exit port; and a needle deployment mechanism at leastpartially disposed within the elongate body member and configured fordeploying and retracting a needle between the needle exit port andneedle catch, the needle deployment mechanism comprising a drive rod andthe needle coupled to the drive rod via a linking member: the linkingmember coupled to the drive rod such that movement of the drive rodcauses rotation of at least a portion of the linking member; therotation of the linking member translates into movement of the needleout of the needle exit port into the needle catch and back into theneedle exit port; and the needle being substantially straight andincluding a distal portion configured to pull a suture back as theneedle retracts.
 34. The suturing instrument of claim 33, wherein thelinking member comprising a rotational element coupled to a secondmember.
 35. The suturing instrument of claim 33, wherein the distalportion of the needle comprises a tissue penetrating tip and a shoulderproximal to the tissue penetrating tip.
 36. The suturing instrument ofclaim 33, wherein the needle deployment mechanism further comprises anactuator for axially moving the linear drive rod within the longitudinalaxis.
 37. The suturing instrument of claim 36, wherein the elongate bodymember further includes a handle disposed opposite the distal portion,the handle at least partially housing the actuator.
 38. The suturinginstrument of claim 33, wherein the needle catch defines at least oneopening configured to receive the distal portion of the needle.
 39. Thesuturing instrument of claim 33, wherein the distal portion of thesuturing instrument is configured for positioning a target tissuebetween the needle exit port and the needle catch.